Our Dunedin Letter.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1039, 22 June 1894, Page 6

Our Dunedin Letter.

(From Odr Own Correspondent.)

After three days sittings the labours of the City Licensing Committee came to an end. As the result twenty-two hn;<>l:< will cease to exist ar. snch after the UOl'h June and only 10 o'clock licenses t r > thoss granted, A good deal of difference prevails as to the selections made, but she committee had an exceedingly difficult task set them. As the vote of reductions v.as carried they had no other course left but to decline issuing ihe above number of licenses, and as in all questions of reform some hardships must accrue, and if a number of deserving people are to spn*er,;.he vole of the electors cause.! such to be done and not the Licensing Commitlee who have had a very unpleasant duty io perform. Mr Care w, P.M., made, as everyone who knew him well expected, an excellent chairman, and (he elected committee specially thanked him for his valuable services.

The Hi\h Schools Board of Governors held their usual monthly meeting lnst week. and ihe Rev. A. R.Fitchett.iVL A., wa3 on Ihe motion of Mr M. Fraer unnnimously elected chairman in place of ihe late Dr Stuart. An exceedingly interesting memorandum on the aim and <=cope of the education imparted in the "Roys' Hi'^h School was submitted by Mr Belcher and he was thanked for the same. On the motion of Mr Sinclair, seconded by Mr Fraer, it was decided to ;isk the Tnspector-General to make a more exhaustive examination of i.he school, with special referencs to the commercial 3ide, and the North Canterbury Education Board is to be asked tn allow one of its inspectors Mr S- B. Wood, M,A. to HShist in the matter.

The newspaper controversy still gops on anent Hie Siuars memorial, and it is dittieult to say in what, form the nih'air will terminal p.. Ths collpc. l nrs are mee!intr with greet success n.nd it is thought a very handsome sum will be roalisad whnn all the returns come in.. Tbe latest scheme sug^esled is a. home for destitute publicans who have boon ruined by tin Iprohibition vo!e. The "Rev. i\Tr Hewitson, 8.A., from Victoria, lias been conrlucfiiuc; Hie services this month in Knnx's Church to laru'u congregations. Sunday last was Communion Sunday and nearly 1000 persons were present at (he morning service;. Mr Hewiison preached a. very able sermon and also delivered a few impressive words relative to the partaking, of the " Sacrament." Seven hundred and sixty persons stayed to the service. The first annual ball of the Calednrian Society held in ihe Garrison Hall on Friday evening was a pronounced success. Fully one hundred couples were present find enjoyed themselves immensely. A number of gentlemen were dressed in Highland costume and they formed a pleasing; contrast to the sombre evening dress of the other* present.

The Tuapeka election is causing some interest here and the general opinion is decidedly favourable to Mr Scobie Mackenzie and hopes are expressed that he will be returned by a very substantial majority, as men of his calibre are badly wanted at the present time to help to manage the affairs of 'he country.

Winter is now fairly upon us, and we have been experiencing some cold snaps lately. At the same time we have also had somp. fine days, and they are helping us to set along with the dreary winter.

Business men are complaining very much of dull times, and all the drapers are trying to boom things with great bargain sales. To read some of their announcements, and the prices quoted and professions made, one is inclined to think that their businesses are simply run on philanthropic lines, as one and all seem to be selling their goods at a great lO3S, thereby benefiting the public to their own detriment.

Still another gone to join the " majoriiy." ihe latest to the list being Mr T. K. Weldon, who has for such a time been identified, with police administration in Otago and Southland. He was buried on Sunday, and there was a large gathering to pay the' last sad respect to his memory.

Notwithstanding the unsatisfactory state of the weather the '* Irickists" were out in fair force en the different football grounds on Saturday, .and some good games were played. Kaikorai was again on the job, and defeated Taieri by 22

points to nil. So far they have an unbeaten record, and their aggregate total score up to date is 161 points to nil.

The advisability of Government borrowing a sufficient sum to energetically prosecute the Oentral Otago and Catlins railway lines is meeting with considerable favour, and at a preliminary meeting convened by the mayor some 30 gentlemen were present. After discussing the question in all its bearings it was decided to ca 1 ,! a public meeting to elicit opinions on the matter, and a representative committee were appointed to draw np a series of resolutions necessary for the occasion.